SCHD vs SPYT: Income Fund Comparison
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF - US (SCHD) and Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF - US (SPYT) are both income-focused funds. Below is our independent side-by-side review using the Dependable Income Investing 13-factor scoring system — designed specifically for income investors seeking reliable, sustainable distributions.
Also see: SCHD individual review · SPYT individual review
SCHD: One of the lowest MER's you'll find at 0.06%. SPYT: Expense ratio is 0.87%. SCHD oct 20th 2011 was the fund start date. SPYT the fund was established March 7 2024 - just over 2 years of history. Full Dependability and Return scores for both funds are available in the app.
| SCHD | SPYT | |
|---|---|---|
| Fund Name | Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF - US | Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF - US |
| Fund Type | Index Based Fund | Index Based Fund |
| Exchange | NYSE/NASDAQ | NYSE/NASDAQ |
| Last Reviewed | 2025-12-15 | 2026-04-07 |
| Author | Adam Hyde, Income Investing Analyst | |
🔒 Full scores available — with Premium subscription
Compare Performance — Free →Fund Attributes: SCHD vs SPYT 20% of overall score
Fund Attributes cover the foundational characteristics of each fund: cost, company backing, track record, and size. These factors reflect stability and cost-efficiency for long-term income investors.
One of the lowest MER's you'll find at 0.06%.
Expense ratio is 0.87%.
Schwab has a jaw dropping 10 Trillion in assets under management.
Defiance ETFs manages approximately $7.32 billion across its ETF suite.
Oct 20th 2011 was the fund start date.
The fund was established March 7 2024 - just over 2 years of history.
72 Billion in this fund.
Net assets are approximately $138 million.
Risk: SCHD vs SPYT 35% of overall score
Risk factors evaluate how each fund manages volatility, diversification, and the nature of its underlying assets — critical considerations for income investors who prioritise capital preservation.
Beta is 0.85 which is lower volatility than the S&P500.
Beta is 1.0154 vs SPY over the data series from 2024-03-15 to 2026-03-28 - in line with the market. Standalone volatility is 14.23% annualized (weekly total returns) - low to moderate price choppiness.
See the full Risk analysis for both SCHD and SPYT — volatility ratings, diversification scores, and analyst notes.
View Plans →Return: SCHD vs SPYT 45% of overall score
Return factors assess income generation quality: current yield, distribution consistency, price history, and payment frequency. This is the most heavily weighted category for income investors.
Pays dividends quarterly.
Monthly distributions confirmed by distribution history.
See the full Return analysis for both SCHD and SPYT — yield ratings, distribution consistency scores, and capital history.
View Plans →Our Review Methodology
Every fund reviewed on Dependable Income Investing is scored using our 13-factor Fund Report Card, organised into three weighted categories: Fund Attributes (20%), Risk (35%), and Return (45%). Each criterion is rated 1–5 by our analysts based on publicly available fund data.
We also calculate a Dependability Score — a weighted composite of six income-specific factors ranked by importance for retirement income investors: Yield Stability, Yield, Volatility, Capital History, Fund Risk, and Underlying Assets. This score answers the question income investors care about most: can I depend on this fund to pay me reliably?
Full scores, ratings, and analyst notes for both SCHD and SPYT are available in the Dependable Income Investing app.
See our full scoring methodology →
Frequently Asked Questions: SCHD vs SPYT
Which has a lower expense ratio, SCHD or SPYT?
SCHD: One of the lowest MER's you'll find at 0.06%.
SPYT: Expense ratio is 0.87%.
Which fund has more assets under management, SCHD or SPYT?
SCHD: 72 Billion in this fund.
SPYT: Net assets are approximately $138 million.
Which fund has been trading longer, SCHD or SPYT?
SCHD: Oct 20th 2011 was the fund start date.
SPYT: The fund was established March 7 2024 - just over 2 years of history.
Who manages SCHD vs SPYT?
SCHD: Schwab has a jaw dropping 10 Trillion in assets under management.
SPYT: Defiance ETFs manages approximately $7.32 billion across its ETF suite.
Where can I see the full SCHD vs SPYT comparison with scores?
The complete side-by-side comparison — including all Risk and Return scores, analyst notes, Overall Score, and Dependability Score for both funds — is available in the Dependable Income Investing app.
What is the difference between SCHD and SPYT?
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF - US is a Index Based Fund. One of the lowest MER's you'll find at 0.06%. Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF - US is a Index Based Fund. Expense ratio is 0.87%. Full comparison including Dependability Score is available in the Dependable Income Investing app.
Which is better for income investors, SCHD or SPYT?
SCHD: One of the lowest MER's you'll find at 0.06%. Oct 20th 2011 was the fund start date. SPYT: Expense ratio is 0.87%. The fund was established March 7 2024 - just over 2 years of history. Which scores higher on Dependability and Return is available in the Dependable Income Investing app.
Do SCHD and SPYT pay monthly distributions?
SCHD: Pays dividends quarterly. SPYT: Monthly distributions confirmed by distribution history. Full yield and distribution stability scores for both funds are available in the Dependable Income Investing app.
See the Full SCHD vs SPYT Comparison
The Dependable Income Investing app gives you the complete picture: all 13 scoring factors for both funds, Risk and Return analyst notes, Dependability Scores, and tools to compare any income fund side by side.
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